Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1887-07-01
The Declaration in Rhyme.

In an imitation of HudibIas, writ
T ten in the time Of the fierce contest
between Great Britain and America
in l777 and 171S, published in the
latter year, was parody, with COM
ments on the Declaration Of indie
pendence At that time there was
no clue to the author or tie place Of
nativity of the author, but it must
have been an American production
and it may with propriety be pub
lished now.
When in the course Of human things
All subjects may desert their kings,
And thus becoming disag.c.ed,
Beeak bonds by which they were connected;
Assuming mongst the powers on earth
An equal rank TO which their birth,
The laws of heaven and Of nature,
Entitle every human creature.
Respect when men are thus Inclined
For the opinions Of mankind,
Requires they should the causes tell
That have induced them TO rebel.
First let them downright maxims strike,
That all men are born free alike,
And are undoubtedly allowed,
BY Providence to be endowed
AS many learned author writes
With some inalienable rights,
'Mong these we lay the greatest stress
On life, pursuit Of happiness,
And what is best OF all the three
OF uncontrolled liberty,
For surely no one can believe
But he's certain right to live,
Without receiving check or stop here,
AS long as ever he think proper.
Neither is life like chair or table,
To one another alienable.
Neither can any mortal have
The right to make himself slave,
(Although by thievirg we may say
Some people do it every day;
Neither can any one entrsp ye
From the just rights of being happy,
Though your chief happiness III life
Should be to kiss your neighbOr's wife).
To keep these rights by their consents,
Man instituted governments,
And should they afterwards be tird
Of systems that the world ad;nii'd,
The people have right t abolish,
After relinquish and denolah
By methods novel and surprising,
New States and powers organizing,
In such form and figure drest,
As the wise authors shall think best.
Prudence indeed, might plainly dictate,
(To any but dull and thick pate
That governments established ancient,
Should not lie chang'd for causes transient
And therefore all experience shows
That man would rather something lose
Than to lie Iash, because they re strong,
And right themselves by doing wrong.
But when we had refused assent
To British acts of Parliament,
Tho bulwarks of the ConstitutioD),
And stuck to this one resolution,
When we determined to be free,
And seized on other peoples tea,
Tarring and feathering every feel
That spoke in favor Of soOd rule;
| Broke up the courts OF law and justice
| (For in ourselves cur hope and trust is),
| Forcing from everyone concession
| To things of which we made profession,
| And settling things we could not guide
TO ride upon stick, astride;
Because we plainly saw designs
| To catch us in Gesnotic mines;
When after this the plans absurd
| OF that harsh tyrant, George the Third,
Under notion of exredience,
To bring US to due obedience,
Pursued through regular degradation,
| OF gross abuse and usuipation,
Prove an invariable design
| Our liberties to undermine,
| A resolution to betray
And rule us by despotic sway.
| |! is our right and our intent
| To throw off such a government,
| While other methods may be tried
| For future safety TO provide.